St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-08-18

o. stiddy habits and clear brains to
keep his wits about him, and not make
any mistakes, tell you ~
There was general concurrence in
the mans views, and Joe noted the
fact with an uneasy sensation. 1t
seemed there must be a lurking suspi-
cion or knowledge of possible unfaith-
fulness on past occasions, regarding
Ben Lows father, yet he must have
been considered trustworthy to be left
with such great responsibility.
The switch tenders little station
was still two miles farther away from
home but mounted on Black Harry
firmly shod, and impatient after stand
ing still so long, it was the merest run.
So with the nicely sharpened hatchet
across his lap away sped Joe, and in a
very short time he came unexpectedly
upon the switch tender himself lying
flat by the side of the station in a
heavy sleep.
In vain Joe shouted and called. The
man could not or would not waken.
Joe grew cold with a strange anxiety
and apprehension. The place was
very lonely he had passed but sim
gle habitation during his two miles
ride, and that about midway, fully a
mile back. 1t would be hard work
summoning aid. Hastily slipping
from Black Harry's back, he secured
him, then grasping Mr.. Low by the
shoulder he shook him as vigorously
as he could. The sleeper reused HIM
self little and gazed stupidity at Joe's
face.
sis the switch all right 2" called Joe
"You-fx- SWITCH" he mumbled.
81 say !" Joe called again, awake up,
Mr.. Low, wake up, 1 tell you! Two
loaded trains are coming along in halt
an hour! Are the switches attended
to, and the signals all right 2"
"You-see-sig 'alls." Then the poor
drunken man fell fiat again overcome
by the fatal drowsiness.
Joe realized the exact situation and
set his sharp boys wits to work. He
himself was ignorant of switches and
signals. There was not moment to
lose he must stop that incoming train.
But hOwR For three precious minutes
he thought intently, then exclaimed
excitedly, eyes, have it," Spring
ing into the saddle he put Black Harry
to his utmost speed.
A mile ahead, still following the
track was high knoll; if only he
could gain that point and rig up some
kind of a signal, he might warn them
in time, his precious father among the
rest-he mast do it
He reached the spot, again fastened
Black Harry, then climbed wrist over
wrist the first low branched tree he
came to, firmly grasping the Ratchet
in one hand.
"Luckiest thing in creation l hap
pened to have this Ratchet along" he
said aloud, as he began chOpping off a
long firm branch.
1t was dexterOusly done and hatchet
and branch were dropped to the
ground just as the excursion train
whisrled at the next station beyond.
In five or six minutes more she would
pass the spot where Joe was waiting.
Would they see him if he remained
on the ground? No; he must mount
Black Harry, holding him with one
hand, and his signal in the other, then
trust to his horsemanship and skill in
coaxing and commanding to control
the mettlesOme animal ,when the train
should come laundering around.
Tearing off his checked blouse, he
tied it firmly with his handkerchief to
the end of the long, willowy pole, and
mounting Black Harry, he waved his
signal aloft as the train came with a
swOOp and a roar around the curve,
only quarter of mile distant.
Black Harry plunged and reared,
but Obeyed astOnishingly the peremp
tory voice of his master as the rushing
thing came ON. In his excitement as
the train swept by, Joe not only waved
his signal wildly, but shouted at the
top of his strong young voice:
''StOp! Oh stop! For heavens
sake, stop, l sayw Then he heard the
sharp alarum whistle, saw the brake
man hastily twisting the metals, and
still waving his signal high in air he
raced after the slackening train.
An hour later, when the danger was
past, but fully realized, the grateful
passengers from both rescued trains
were forcing upon JOe's acceptance a
generous gift hastily collected; the
spontaneous expression of their admi-
ration of the boys pluck and of their
but his father held him
back.
The Doctors shrewd eyes were de-
cidedly moist as he asked for the third